Failed ventilation with LMA Proseal® in a patient with sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) have excessive adipose tissue in oropharynx which can obstruct the
airway. A high prevalence of difficult intubation has been reported in these patients and an association between
the severity of SAS and difficult intubation has been suggested. LMA Proseal® (LMA Company, USA) has been
launched as a better alternative to LMA classic, as it provides good airway seal due to its modified cuff. The
improved seal of LMA Proseal® (PLMA®) has an advantage in obese patients where higher airway pressures are
required for positive pressure ventilation. We found that LMA Classic® provided better airway management than
PLMA® in one of our obese patients with SAS.